Arsenal pay record fee for 17 year old Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal have signed teenage Southampton winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Premier League club announced Monday, for what appeared to be an English record for a 17-year-old.

Written by Agence-France Presse

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Arsenal have signed teenage Southampton winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Premier League club announced Monday, for what appeared to be an English record for a 17-year-old.

Southampton, newly promoted to the second-tier Championship said Oxlade-Chamberlain had left for a "club record fee" without revealing a figure.

However, that would mean the 17-year-old son of former England international Mark Chamberlain, had left for more than the Â£12 million ($20 million) Arsenal paid Southampton for England winger Theo Walcott in 2006.

Some reports have suggested the transfer is worth Â£15 million ($25 million), which would be an English record for a player Oxlade-Chamberlain's age.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has yet to play at a level higher than League One, English football's third division.

But last season he impressed with 10 goals in 41 appearances as south coast club Southampton won promotion to the Championship.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has also been capped by England at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 levels.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, in a statement released on the Gunners' website, said: "We are delighted Alex has decided to join us.

"He is an exciting young player who will provide us with creativity and offensive quality," the Frenchman added.

"Alex is a perceptive passer of the ball and has a great understanding of the game and looks to be a very good team player."

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who turns 18 a week on Monday, said: "I'm so excited to be joining Arsenal. It's a fantastic club and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of playing football at the highest level.

"Arsenal have a great manager in Arsene Wenger, top quality players and an attractive style of play. These were all important factors in me choosing to sign for Arsenal.

"I'm proud to be joining Arsenal but I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Southampton for their help and support during the early part of my career, for which I will always be grateful."

North London club Arsenal, who haven't on a major trophy since 2005, lost in the League Cup final last season and were then leapfrogged into third place in the Premier League, and an automatic spot in the first round of the Champions League proper, by Manchester City.

Arsenal start the new Premier League season away to Newcastle on Saturday.